Webutuck Board of Education held the December 8, 2008 meeting at 7:30 p.m. in the Webutuck High School Library.

 

 

The following Board members were present:

Dale Culver, President

Joseph Herald

Andrew Jablonsky

William McGhee

Joseph Matteo

John Perotti

 

Also Present:

Dr. Richard N. Johns, Superintendent

Therese Trotter District Clerk

 

Absent:

Susan Lounsbury

 

CALL TO ORDER

President Culver called the business meeting of December 8, 2008 to order at 7:45 p.m.  

 

PUBLIC COMMENT

The following copies were made by audience members:

-I am trying to get a copy of the new WTA contract and I would like to pick up the old contract tomorrow.  It has not been completed by the lawyers yet but we will get you one.

-We do not know the full story of the truck.  Things are always muddy here.  Who signed for the truck?  The Board President explained about putting the old truck up for bid but the bids were too low.  There now has been put in place a two step process.

-Are the coaches being approved tonight pursuing their coaching certification?  Yes.

-Tonight the Superintendent is being approved to coach when he does not know what is happening in his District.

- Was there an oil spill in the gym preventing kids from practicing?  No, it was in the heating system in the boiler room and it did cause fumes in the building.

-Consolidation is very important during this economic period.  I want a feasibility study done by February 1.  Information should be given to taxpayers about what the Board intends to do.  The Board is studying every aspect of what we can do for cost savings next year.  We will not have a feasibility study Feb 1.  We will get information out to the public as soon as the Board can.

-Years ago we had a thoughtful debate about consolidation.  What came out of it was that it was better educationally for those students to be in their town schools.  Check out relocalization –it will cost so much less in transportation.

-What is going on with the security – I understand there was money set aside to be used for security of buildings.  The EXCEL project is the project our architects have been designing for our security system of each building excluding AES.  It has been submitted to SED and it could take up to 15 to 20 weeks for review.  It is projected to be a $705,000 project to install the security system.  It takes time.

 

-The cafeteria lost $68,000 last year.  You put $53,000 into the cafeteria program this year.  How is the cafeteria doing this year?  The School Business Administrator will provide a report to the Board in January and let the audience member know the outcome of the report.  Pine Plains received a $23,000 grant from SED for fruits and vegetables for 2007-2008.  The School Business Administrator thought there was other stipulations regarding the grant – she will look into it.

Deputy Strid Presentation

Deputy Strid went over what he incidence he handled last year in the school District such as counseling sessions with adults and students, classroom lectures, community meetings, and stolen property etc.  He then went over the incidence of this school year through November.  He explained that his work hours have changed due to the County budget.  The hours that he is not here the secretaries know they can call his office and he will be dispatched here.  All of the safety plans except for Millerton are up-to-date.  It should be ready by January.  On February 13 Superintendents Day there will be a table top drill for everyone to go through.  The Deputy explained how the table top works which is making employees aware of what people would do in an emergency situation.   He went over classes that he teaches and the dog training the recently took place in District.  Discussion ensued.

 

DISCUSSION

1. Transportation Efficiency Study

It was explained that a proposal was given to the Board in their packet about performing an efficiency study in the Transportation Department.  TAS is a company that has performed many studies and has done a good job.  The cost is $8,800 of which 40% can be recouped through the State Education Department.  The Board believes there will be a cost savings if we develop an efficiency plan in transportation.  There are issues the Board would like to have reviewed: smaller buses with shorter routes, fewer buses out every day after looking at the head count we recently did; impact of closing AES on transportation, do we want buses out over the same ground twice in a day and other.  Discussion ensued.

 

2. Youth Basketball Program

The coaches want to run a program for the youth in the District to develop the basketball program.  There is an athletic account the funds will go through.  This will be a way to develop the young athletes for high school basketball.  Does the District insurance cover this?  Yes.  A Board member spoke about DNA testing to verify what a student would most be adept at.  What are the cost projections?  We would pay the coaches as we do a club sponsor.

 

3. Split Science Department Head Position

Last year we broke up the ELA into K-5 and 6-12. because it has been hard for Department Heads to get outside of their buildings to speak with the other teachers.  Mr. Biasotti is requesting the same to be done for Science, K-5 and 6-12.

 

 

CLERK’S REPORT

1.  Acceptance of Financial Reports as Submitted

Mr. Herald made and Mr. Matteo seconded a motion to accept the Financial Reports as submitted:

           Treasurer’s Report for the month ending October.

           Comprehensive Budget Status Report ending October.        

           Comprehensive Revenue Status Report ending October.

           Warrants #27-34

The six Board members voted to approve the motion.  The motion carried.

Dale Culver                 Yes      William McGhee         Yes

Joseph Herald                         Yes      Joseph Matteo             Yes

Andrew Jablonsky      Yes      John Perotti                 No

 

2.  Delegations -None

3.  Non-Staff Communications-None

 

PERSONNEL

1. Non-Instruction Substitute Appointments

Mr. Matteo made and Mr. Jablonsky seconded the following motion:

A Board member questioned the posting of the position.  The process was discussed and it was decided no person will be interviewed for a job by a relative again.  Also, there should be an end date for a seasonal worker.  It was decided it would be ninety days.  The 90 day date will be amended for this resolution (Effective: 12/9/08 – 3/8/09).

BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby approves the following Non-Instructional Substitute Appointments, as recommended by the Superintendent of Schools:

            Sherry Justry                                       Substitute Food Service Worker

            Effective:  December 9, 2008

 

            Stephen Lounsbury                             Seasonal Worker

            Effective:  December 9, 2008

 

Mr. Matteo made and Mr. Perotti seconded a motion to amend the motion to include the ending date on a seasonal worker position:

BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby approves the following Non-Instructional Substitute Appointments, as recommended by the Superintendent of Schools:

           

            Stephen Lounsbury                             Seasonal Worker

            Effective:  December 9, 2008 - March 8, 2009

The six Board members voted to approve the motion.  The motion carried.

Dale Culver                 Yes      William McGhee         No

Joseph Herald                         Yes      Joseph Matteo             Yes

Andrew Jablonsky      No       John Perotti                 Yes

 

As amended:

BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby approves the following Non-Instructional Substitute Appointments, as recommended by the Superintendent of Schools:

            Sherry Justry                                       Substitute Food Service Worker

            Effective:  December 9, 2008

 

            Stephen Lounsbury                             Seasonal Worker

            Effective:  December 9, 2008 - March 8, 2009

The six Board members voted to approve the motion.  The motion deadlocked.

Dale Culver                 Yes      William McGhee         No

Joseph Herald                         Yes      Joseph Matteo             Yes

Andrew Jablonsky      No       John Perotti                 No

 

Mr. Herald made and Mr. Perotti seconded the following motion:

BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby approves the following Non-Instructional Substitute Appointment, as recommended by the Superintendent of Schools:

Sherry Justry                                       Substitute Food Service Worker

            Effective:  December 9, 2008

The six Board members voted to approve the motion.  The motion carried unanimously.

 

2.  Instructional Substitute Appointment

Mr. Herald made and Mr. Jablonsky seconded the following motion:

A Board member asked if the Superintendent interviewed Ms. Diaz today.  Yes.

BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby approves the following Instructional Substitute Appointment, as recommended by the Superintendent of Schools:

Charles Harris                                     Substitute Teacher

            Effective:  December 9, 2008

           

Marilyn Rivera Diaz                            Substitute Teacher

            Effective:  December 9, 2008

The six Board members voted to approve the motion.  The motion carried unanimously.

 

3.  Instructional Resignations

Mr. Herald made and Mr. Perotti seconded the following motion:

A Board member would like to discuss this in Executive Session.

Mr. Herald made a motion to table the motion until after Executive Session Mr. Perotti seconded it.

BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby accepts the following Instructional Resignations, as recommended by the Superintendent of Schools:

 

            Robyn Kendziera                                Special Education Teacher

            Effective:  January 30, 2009

 

            Amy Schultz                                       Secondary Vocal Teacher

            Effective:  February 4, 2009

The six Board members voted to approve the motion.  The motion carried unanimously.

 

4.  Extra-Curricular Appointments for the 2008-2009 School Year

Mr. Herald made and Mr. Jablonsky seconded the following motion:

A Board member asked if the coaches have pursued their certification.  The Superintendent explained that Webutuck has been certified by SED as an institution that can certify coaches.  Two classes are going to be taught right away to assist the coaches in their certification.  A Board member asked to have a list of coaches who have completed their certification.  A Board member asked how long the Superintendent would need in his capacity as Asst. Coach each day.  He stated one hour.  A Board member asked if a sport is non-competitive do those coaches have to be certified.  The Superintendent will find out and also he will include the regulation of certification in the Board packet.

BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby approves the following Extra-Curricular appointments for the 2008-2009 school year, as recommended by the Superintendent of Schools:

            Michelle Adrian                                  Varsity Cheerleading Coach

            Becky Knapp                                      JV Cheerleading Coach

            Dr. Richard Johns                               Assistant Track Coach

            Paul Wladarczyk                                 Science 6-12 Co-Department Head

            Brian Geraghty                                   Science K-5 Co-Department Head

            Lynn Buckley                                     ELA K-5 Co-Department Head

Sherry Fisher                                       ELA 6-12 Co-Department Head

            Rosanna Hamm                                   Math Department Head

            Linda Miller                                        Special Education Department Head

            Susan Harrington                                Special Areas Department Head

           

Mentee                                                            Mentor

            Patricia Hammond                              Jennifer Gdula

The six Board members voted to approve the motion.  The motion carried unanimously.

Dale Culver                 Yes      William McGhee         No

Joseph Herald                         Yes      Joseph Matteo             Yes

Andrew Jablonsky      Yes      John Perotti                 Yes

 

5.  Approval of Job Description

Mr. Jablonsky made and Mr. Perotti seconded the following motion:

BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby approves the Human Resource Clerk job description, as recommended by the Superintendent of Schools.

The six Board members voted to approve the motion.  The motion carried unanimously.

 

6.  Creation of Position

Mr. Matteo made and Mr. McGhee seconded the following motion:

BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby approves the creation of one (1) Cook Position effective 12/1/2008 to 3/9/09, as recommended by the Superintendent of Schools.

The five Board members voted to approve the motion.  The motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Herald abstained from the vote.

 

7.  Approval of Amendment of Extra-Curricular Resolution from September 22, 2008

Mr. Herald made and Mr. Matteo seconded the following motion:

A Board member questioned if the stipend is being divided.  No.

BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the amendment of the Extra-Curricular resolution approved on September 22, 2008 to read as follows, as recommended by the Superintendent of Schools:

 

            Henry Pollinger                                   Choreographer

            (remove Nancy Gagne as Choreographer)

The six Board members voted to approve the motion.  The motion carried unanimously.

 

8.  Approval of Amendment of Extra-Curricular Resolution from November 18, 2008

Mr. Herald made and Mr. Matteo seconded the following motion:

BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the amendment of the Extra-Curricular resolution approved on November 18, 2008 to read as follows, as recommended by the Superintendent of Schools:

            Amy Brandt McEnroe                                                Modified Girls’ Basketball Coach

            (remove Jennifer Brandt as Modified Girls’ Basketball Co-Coach)

The six Board members voted to approve the motion.  The motion carried unanimously.

 

9.  Approval of a Long-Term Substitute Teacher’s Exemption from Board Policy #402 Substitute Compensation Benefit Provision

Mr. Herald made and Mr. Jablonsky seconded the following motion:

A Board member questioned if the Union was going to use this as precedent setting.  The resolution states non-precedent setting and the employee is not a union member.

BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves Kristen Chadwick’s exemption from Board Policy #402 Substitute Compensation on a non-precedent setting basis in order to provide first day coverage of medical insurance, as recommended by the Superintendent of Schools.

The six Board members voted to approve the motion.  The motion carried unanimously.

 

10.  Instructional Leave Replacement Appointment

Mr. Herald made and Mr. Perotti seconded the following motion:

BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following Instructional Leave Replacement appointment, as recommended by the Superintendent of Schools:

            Susan Totter                                        Chorus Teacher

            Effective:  December 9, 2008             replaces Amy Schultz

The six Board members voted to approve the motion.  The motion carried unanimously.

11.  Authorization to Split Science Department Chair Position

Mr. Herald made and Mr. Matteo seconded the following motion:

BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby authorizes the position of Science Department Head to be split into two positions (Elementary and Secondary) and the stipend to be divided between the two positions, as recommended by the Superintendent of Schools.

The six Board members voted to approve the motion.  The motion carried unanimously.

 

12.  Instructional Appointment

Mr. Herald made and Mr. Perotti seconded the following motion:

A Board member asked the Superintendent how the interview went.  He stated it went well.

BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby approves the following Instructional Appointment, as recommended by the Superintendent of Schools:

 

            Amy Voss Dolce                                 Tutor

            Effective:  December 9, 2008

The six Board members voted to approve the motion.  The motion carried unanimously.

 

 

BUSINESS AND OPERATIONS

1.  Authorization for Filing of 2008-2009 Returned Tax Claims (Resolution distributed in Board Packet).

Mr. Herald made and Mr. Perotti seconded the following motion (attached):

The six Board members voted to approve the motion.  The motion carried unanimously.

 

 

2.  Approval of Time Clock Agreement

Mr. Matteo made and Mr. McGhee seconded the following motion:

BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approve the Stipulation of Agreement by and between the Northeast Central School District and the CSEA, Local 1000 AFSCME for recording employees' time and attendance, as recommended by the Superintendent.

The six Board members voted to approve the motion.  The motion carried unanimously.

 

3.  Approval of Amendment of the Surplus Vehicles Resolution on June 9, 2008

Mr. Matteo made and Mr. McGhee seconded the following motion:

A Board member explained they decided to place this vehicle back into service, it was fixed and it will save money.

BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby amends the Surplus Vehicle resolution approved on June 9, 2008 by removing the surplus item below and placing back into service, as recommended by the Superintendent of Schools: 

Vehicle #                                             ID#                              Mileage

1999 Van 91                           1GDHG31F3X1127411         159,883

The six Board members voted to approve the motion.  The motion carried unanimously.

 

4.  Authorization to Declare Surplus Micowaves

Mr. Herald made and Mr. Matteo seconded the following motion:

A Board member asked where the District takes these and can they be recycled?  They do not work and they will look into recycling them.

BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby authorizes that two (2) (nonworking) microwaves be declared surplus and authorizes the District to dispose of them, as recommended by the Superintendent of Schools.

            Panasonic “The Genius” 1300W

            Model # NN-5960wa

            Serial  # AD007601794

            Manufactured March 2000

 

            General Electric

            Model # JE1640GB002

            Serial # LB921791S

            Manufactured June of 2002

The six Board members voted to approve the motion.  The motion carried unanimously.

 

5.  Authorization to Declare Surplus Family and Consumer Science CookWare and Acceptance of Obsolete Books

It was decided to combine the vote on #5 and #6 under Business and Operations.

Mr. Herald made and Mr. Perotti seconded the following motion:

BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby authorizes the cookware (itemized list attached) be declared surplus and authorizes the District to dispose of them and hereby declares the listed items obsolete, as recommended by the Superintendent of Schools.

 

Guide to Good Food by Largen, Goodheart Willcox, 1988, 21 Copies

            See How They Grow by Draper and All, Glencoe, 1987 12 Copies

            Fashion! by Wolfe, Goodheart Willcox, 1989, 12 Copies

            Guide to Good Food by Largen and Bence, Goodheart Willcox, 1996 14 Copies

            The World of Food by Medved, Ginn and Co., 1981, 12 Copies

            Guide to Modern Meals, 3rd, by Sickler and All, McGraw Hill, 1981, 3 Copies

The six Board members voted to approve the motion.  The motion carried unanimously.

 

7.  SPCC (Spill Prevention and Counter Measure Plan)

Mr. Herald made and Mr. McGhee seconded the following motion:

BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education authorizes the Chazen Company to develop the SPCC plan as mandated by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) and the District Insurance Underwriter, as recommended by the Superintendent of Schools.

The six Board members voted to approve the motion.  The motion carried unanimously.

 

8.  Adoption of Bond Resolution

Mr. Matteo made and Mr. Jablonsky seconded the following motion:

This was for the purchases from last year’s budget resolution that stated buses were to be purchased already equipped with radios and cameras.  Not all buses that were purchases had cameras.  Into the future they need to be.

A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE PURCHASE OF TWO (2) 65-PASSENGER SCHOOL BUS AND ONE (1) 7-PASSENGER MINIVAN AND ONE (1) 28-PASSENGER VAN FOR USE BY THE NORTHEAST CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT, DUTCHESS AND COLUMBIA COUNTIES, NEW YORK, AT A MAXIMUM ESTIMATED COST OF $255,875.00 AND AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF SERIAL BONDS AND BOND ANTICIPATION NOTES OF SAID SCHOOL DISTRICT IN THE AMOUNT OF $247,129.98 TO PAY THE COST THEREOF.

 

            WHEREAS, at the special meeting of the Board of Education of the Northeast Central School District, Dutchess and Columbia Counties, New York, duly called, held and conducted on May 20, 2008, a majority of the duly qualified voters of said School District voting thereat approved a proposition authorizing the purchase of two 65-passenger school buses at a maximum estimated cost of $93,675 each, one 7 passenger minivan at a maximum estimated cost of $25,525, and one 28 passenger van at a maximum estimated cost of $43,000 for an aggregate maximum estimated cost of $255,875, equipped with radios and cameras expend such sum for such purposes, levy the tax necessary therefore, to be levied and collected in annual installments with obligations of said School District to be issued in anticipation thereof; and

 

            WHEREAS, it is now desired to provide for the financing thereof, to set the details and to provide for other matters in connection therewith;

 

            NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Board of Education of the Northeast Central School District, Dutchess and Columbia Counties, New York, as follows:

 

            Section 1.  The purchase of the following vehicles for use by the Northeast Central School District, which are not assessable improvements, is authorized as follows:

 

Two (2) 65-passenger school bus at a cost of $186,186.98

And

One (1) 7-passenger minivan at a cost of $20,090.00

And

One (1) 28-passenger van with camera at a cost of $40,853

 

            Section 2.  The specific objects or purposes for which said obligations are to be issued pursuant to this resolution is to finance the cost of the purchase of said passenger vehicles.

 

            Section 3.  The maximum estimated cost of the aforesaid items is $255,875.00 and the plan for financing thereof is by the issuance of serial bonds of said School District in the amount of $247,129.98, hereby authorized to be issued pursuant to the Local Finance Law and this resolution.  An annual appropriation shall be made in each year sufficient to pay the principal of and interest on such obligations becoming due and payable in such year.  Such obligations shall be payable from amounts which shall annually be levied on all the taxable real property in said School District, and the faith and credit of said Northeast Central School District are hereby pledged for the payment of said obligations and the interest thereon.

  

           Section 4.  It is hereby determined that the period of probable usefulness applicable to the aforesaid specific classes of objects or purposes is five (5) years, pursuant to subdivision 29 of paragraph (a) of Section 11.00 of the Local Finance Law.  The proposed maturity of the obligations authorized by this resolution will not be in excess of five (5) years.

 

            Section 5.  Subject to the provisions of the Local Finance Law, the power to authorize the issuance of and to sell bond anticipation notes in anticipation of the issuance and sale of the serial bonds herein authorized, including renewals of said notes, is hereby delegated to the President of the Board of Education, the Chief Fiscal Officer, or to the Vice-President of the Board of Education in the President’s absence.  Such bond anticipation note and any renewals thereof shall bear interest and be of such terms, form and contents, and shall be sold in such manner as may be prescribed by said President of the Board of Education, consistent with the provisions of the Local Finance Law. There are presently no outstanding obligations which have been issued in anticipation of the sale of such obligations.

 

         

  Section 6.  All other matters, except as provided herein, relating to such bonds shall be determined by the President of the Board of Education, including the power to designate such bonds as “qualified tax exempt obligations” pursuant to Section 265(b)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, if at the time of such designation, such officer is able to certify that: (i) the School District is, and was as of October 23, 1985, a political subdivision of the State of New York; (ii) it is reasonably anticipated that (a) the amount of “qualified tax-exempt obligations”, within the meaning of Section 265(b)(3) of the Code which will be issued by the School District during this calendar year shall not exceed $10,000,000.00 and (b) the bonds do not constitute part of an issue, and are not part of a series of issues issued for a common purpose, exceeding $3,000,000.00 in the aggregate; and (iii) the sum of principal amount of the bonds and the principal amount of any other obligations heretofore designated by the School District during the current fiscal year does not exceed $10,000,000.00.  Such bonds shall contain substantially the recital of validity clause provided for in Section 52.00 of the Local Finance Law and shall otherwise be in such form and contain such recitals, in addition to those required by Section 51.00 of the Local Finance Law, as the President of the Board of Education shall determine.

 

            Section 7.  The validity of such obligations may be contested only if:

 

(a)        Such obligations are authorized for an object or purpose for which such School District is not authorized to expend money; or

 

(b)        The provisions of law which should be complied with as of the date of publication of this resolution or summary thereof are not substantially complied with and an action, suit or proceeding contesting such validity is commenced within twenty (20) days after the date of such publication; or

 

(c)        Such obligations are authorized in violation of the provisions of the Constitution.

 

            Section 8.  This resolution shall take effect immediately.

The six Board members voted to approve the motion.  The motion carried unanimously.

 

 

CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION

1.  Committee on Special Education Monthly Reports

Mr. Herald made and Mr. Matteo seconded the following motion:

BE IT RESOLVED, that the Webutuck Board of Education hereby accepts the Committee on Special Education report for November 2008, prepared by the Webutuck Central School District Committee on Pre-School Education and by the Webutuck Central School District Committee on Special Education, as recommended by the Superintendent of Schools.

The six Board members voted to approve the motion.  The motion carried unanimously.

 

2.  Approval of BET Building Goals for EBMS and AES/WES

Mr. Herald made and Mr. McGhee seconded the following motion:

BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the Building Excellence Team Building Goals for the 2008-2009 school year, as recommended by the Superintendent of Schools.

The six Board members voted to approve the motion.  The motion carried unanimously.

 

 

PUBLIC COMMENT

-What does a seasonal worker do?  They will help get the MES building ready if the Board decides to use it.  Why do use the kids who need life skills?

-A person needs to check off what is included when they get a new bus.

 

BOARD MEMBER QUESTIONS

Where are the WPA paintings that were in MES and mostly AES?  We need to take care of them.

 

EXECUTIVE SESSION

Mr. Herald made and Mr. Matteo seconded a motion to adjourn to executive session at 9:50 pm for the purpose of discussing a particular personnel issue.  The six Board members present voted.  The motion carried unanimously.

 

RECONVENE PUBLIC SESSION

Mr. Perotti made a motion to adjourn the executive session and reconvene the public session at 10:25 pm.  The six Board members present voted.  The motion passed unanimously.

 

Instructional Resignations

Mr. Herald made and Mr. Matteo seconded the following motion:

BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby accepts the following Instructional Resignations, as recommended by the Superintendent of Schools:

 

            Robyn Kendziera                                Special Education Teacher

            Effective:  January 30, 2009

 

            Amy Schultz                                       Secondary Vocal Teacher

            Effective:  February 4, 2009

The six Board members voted to approve the motion.  The motion passed.

Dale Culver                 Yes      William McGhee         Yes

Joseph Herald                         No       Joseph Matteo             Yes

Andrew Jablonsky      Yes      John Perotti                 Yes

 

 

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business, Mr. Perotti made a motion to adjourn the meeting of December 8, 2008 at 10:28 pm.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Therese M. Trotter

District Clerk